Crack Caused by Settling on a Floor

Check the Structure

• Before attempting to repair any cracks on a floor caused by settling, you should check the structural integrity of the home. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, hire a professional to inspect the foundation and make sure that the house remains structurally sound. Generally speaking, straight cracks in a floor or wall represent less of a threat to the structure of a house than cracks that have turns.

Remove Debris

• You should not attempt to repair a crack of any size without first clearing the crack of loose debris and dust. You can lift the dust and loose debris out of a crack by wiping the length of the crack with a wet cloth if the crack provides enough space to do so or by sucking the debris out of the crack with the narrow hose attachment on a vacuum if you cannot get down into the crack.

Small Crack

• If the crack caused by settling on a floor is narrower than ½-inch, you can fill in the crack with a concrete or cement patch. Before applying the patch, brush a masonry bonding solution over the interior of the crack to give the patch something to which to cling. Spread the putty-like concrete or cement patch solution into the crack with a putty knife, using the tip to push the patch to the bottom of the crack. Allow the patch to dry and fill the crack again. Repeat the process until the crack sits level with the rest of the floor.

Large Crack

• Cracks larger than ½-inch that are caused by settling on a floor can be filled using the same basic method of small cracks, but should be reinforced by placing a rod into the crack. First, remove debris and brush the inside of the crack with bonding solution and fill the crack with concrete or cement patch until it is roughly half full. Allow the patch to dry and place a foam rod into the crack, bending the rod as necessary to follow the course of the crack, and then continue adding patch over the rod.